Nelumbo plant named ‘ZHONGSHAN HONGLAN’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of  Nelumbo  plant named ‘ZHONGSHAN HONGLAN’ is disclosed, characterized by multi-colored, multi-whorled flowers with red-purple tips, white centers, and yellow bases. Flowers have a bowl-shaped form, and grey-colored anthers. The new variety is useful as both an ornamental plant and for cut flower production.

Latin name of the genus and species: Nelumbo nucifera.

Variety denomination: ‘ZHONGSHAN HONGLAN’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new cultivar, Nelumbo ‘ZHONGSHAN HONGLAN’, is the product of aplanned breeding program. The new variety originated from a crosspollination of the unpatented, seed parent, Nelumbo ‘Xin Yuhuaqing’ withthe pollen parent the unpatented Nelumbo ‘Zhuoyue’. The crosspollination was made during July of 2018 in Nanjing, Jiangsu province,China at a research nursery. The new cultivar ‘ZHONGSHAN HONGLAN’ wasselected in June of 2019 at the same location.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar ‘ZHONGSHAN HONGLAN’ was firstperformed by root division in Jiangsu province, China at a researchnursery April of 2020. Nelumbo ‘ZHONGSHAN HONGLAN’ has since producedmultiple generations and has shown that the unique features of thiscultivar are stable and reproduced true to type.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘ZHONGSHAN HONGLAN’ has not been observed under allpossible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat withvariations in environment such as temperature, day length, and lightintensity, without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe the unique characteristics of ‘ZHONGSHAN HONGLAN’. Thesecharacteristics in combination distinguish ‘ZHONGSHAN HONGLAN’ as a newand distinct Nelumbo cultivar:

-   -   1. Multi-whorled flowers with many petals.    -   2. Multi-colored flower with a red-purple tip, white center, and        yellow base.    -   3. Bowl-shaped flower form with a flatter top surface, and a        more conspicuous receptacle.    -   4. Middle whorl petal tips bend inward.    -   5. Grey anther color.    -   6. Flowers from mid-June to late August.

PARENTAL COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘ZHONGSHAN HONGLAN’ are similar to plants ofthe seed parent in most horticultural characteristics. However, plantsof the new cultivar ‘ZHONGSHAN HONGLAN’ differ in the following:

-   -   1. ‘ZHONGSHAN HONGLAN’ produces fewer petals per flower than the        seed parent.    -   2. Flower color of ‘ZHONGSHAN HONGLAN’ is a deeper red-purple at        the tip, and a brighter yellow base than the flower color of the        seed parent.    -   3. Flower form of ‘ZHONGSHAN HONGLAN’ is flatter on the top        surface, with a more conspicuous receptacle; the flower form of        the seed parent is bowl-shaped with a normal-sized receptacle.    -   4. ‘ZHONGSHAN HONGLAN’ has a much higher number of stamens than        the seed parent.    -   5. ‘ZHONGSHAN HONGLAN’ has grey colored anthers, while the seed        parent has yellow anthers.    -   6. ‘ZHONGSHAN HONGLAN’ has a white staminal appendage, while the        seed parent has a pale yellow staminal appendage.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘ZHONGSHAN HONGLAN’ are similar to the pollenparent in most horticultural characteristics. However, plants of the newcultivar ‘ZHONGSHAN HONGLAN’ differ in the following:

-   -   1. ‘ZHONGSHAN HONGLAN’ produces flowers with a red-purple tip,        white center, and yellow base; the pollen parent produces        flowers with a red-purple tip, red-purple center, and yellow        base.    -   2. Flower form of ‘ZHONGSHAN HONGLAN’ is flatter on the top        surface, with a more conspicuous receptacle; the flower form of        the pollen parent is cup-shaped with a normal-sized receptacle.    -   3. Flowers of ‘ZHONGSHAN HONGLAN’ have middle layer petal tips        bending inward; middle layer petal tips of the pollen parent are        rounded.    -   4. ‘ZHONGSHAN HONGLAN’ has a higher number of stamens than the        pollen parent.    -   5. ‘ZHONGSHAN HONGLAN’ has grey colored anthers, while the        pollen parent has yellow anthers.

COMMERCIAL COMPARISON

The new cultivar ‘ZHONGSHAN HONGLAN’ can be compared to the unpatentedcommercial variety Nelumbo ‘Jinling Nvshen’. Plants of the new cultivar‘ZHONGSHAN HONGLAN’ differ in the following:

-   -   1. Flowers of ‘ZHONGSHAN HONGLAN’ have fewer petals than flowers        of ‘Jinling Nvshen’.    -   2. Flower form of ‘ZHONGSHAN HONGLAN’ is flatter on the top        surface, with a more conspicuous receptacle; the flower form of        ‘Jinling Nvshen’ is plate-shaped with a normal-sized receptacle.    -   3. Flowers of ‘ZHONGSHAN HONGLAN’ have middle layer petal tips        bending inward; middle layer petal tips of this comparator are        rounded.    -   4. ‘ZHONGSHAN HONGLAN’ has grey colored anthers, while this        comparator has yellow anthers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs illustrate in full color typical plants of‘ZHONGSHAN HONGLAN’ grown outdoors, in the ground in Jingsu Province,China. The photographs were taken using conventional techniques andequipment. While the colors in these photographs may display variancesof color as compared to the living cultivar, due to LRV (lightreflectance value), they are as accurate as possible using conventionalphotographic techniques. Colors in the photographs may appear to differslightly from the color values cited in the botanical description, whichaccurately describe the colors of the new Nelumbo plant. Temperaturesranged from approximately 13° C. to 28° C. night and about 16° C. to 34°C. during the day. No artificial light, photoperiodic treatments orchemical treatments were given to the plants.

FIG. 1 illustrates in full color typical flowering plants of Nelumbo‘ZHONGSHAN HONGLAN’ at approximately 1 year of age.

FIG. 2 illustrates in full color a typical flower bud of Nelumbo‘ZHONGSHAN HONGLAN’.

FIG. 3 illustrates in full color a typical open flower of Nelumbo‘ZHONGSHAN HONGLAN’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart, 2019, except where general terms ofordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observationsand measurements describe ‘ZHONGSHAN HONGLAN’ plants grown in an outdoorpond in Jiangsu Province, China. Average day temperature range wasaround 25° C. to 38° C.; average night temperature ranged around 20° C.to 30° C. No artificial light, photoperiodic treatments or chemicaltreatments were given to the plants. Natural light conditions were fullsunlight. Measurements and numerical values represent averages oftypical plant types. Measurements were taken during June to August of2021.

-   Botanical classification: Nelumbo nucifera ‘ZHONGSHAN HONGLAN’.

PROPAGATION

-   Type of propagation typically used: Root divisions.-   Root description: Adventitious roots at the rhizome node. Moderately    dense, moderately branching, medium thickness, fleshy texture. White    in color, not accurately described with R.H.S. chart.

PLANT

-   Age of plant described: Approximately 4 months.-   Container size of the plant described: In a pond of approximately 2    meters in length, 0.9 meters in width, and 25 cm in depth.-   Growth habit: Heliophilous.-   Height: Average 45 to 85 cm from soil to top of foliar plat 61 to 99    cm from soil to top of floral plane.-   Plant spread: Approximately 100×90 cm.-   Growth rate: Moderate.-   Plant vigor: High.-   Branching habit: Sympodial.-   Primary branches per plant: 5 to 10.-   Secondary branches per primary lateral branch: 3 to 5.-   Lateral branch length: 60 to 110 cm.-   Lateral branch diameter: 2 to 3.2 cm.-   Internode length: 11 to 15 cm.-   Stem:    -   -   Shape/appearance.—Rhizome, nodose, cylindrical.        -   Aspect.—Horizontal underground growth.        -   Strength.—Weak.        -   Color.—Developing: Near RHS Yellow-White 158C. At            Internodes: Near RHS Yellow-White 158C. Developed: Near RHS            Greyed-Yellow 162C.        -   Pubescence.—None.        -   Luster.—Matte.

FOLIAGE

-   Leaf:    -   -   Arrangement.—Single leaf ranked, before and after flowering.        -   Average length.—Average 31 to 46 cm.        -   Average width.—28 to 38 cm.        -   Shape of blade.—Orbicular.        -   Apex.—Dimple.        -   Base.—Peltate.        -   Margin.—Entire, slightly undulate.        -   Texture of top surface.—Smooth.        -   Texture of bottom surface.—Smooth, cancellate.        -   Color.—Young foliage upper side: RHS Yellow-Green 147B.            Young foliage, under side: RHS Yellow-Green 147C. Mature            foliage upper side: RHS Green 137B. Mature foliage, under            side: RHS Green 137A. Fall foliage upper side: RHS            Yellow-Green N151D, centrally blotched Green 137B. Fall            foliage, under side: RHS Yellow-Green N148D streaked Green            137A.        -   Venation.—Type: Reticulate. Venation color upper side: RHS            Yellow-Green 148D. Venation color under side: RHS            Yellow-Green 147D.-   Petiole:    -   -   Average length.—Average range 43 cm to 69 cm.        -   Average diameter.—Average range 0.5 mm to 0.9 cm.        -   Color.—Upper surface: Yellow-Green 144C. Lower surface:            Yellow-Green 144C.        -   Texture.—Semi-woody, slightly hirsute.        -   Strength.—Stiff.        -   Interior.—Mostly hollow with moderate latex.

FLOWER

-   Natural flowering season: June through August.-   Flower type and habit: Single, double-layered flowers. Upright.    Bowl-shaped. Freely flowering habit.-   Flowers per plant: 12 to 22 flowers and buds per square meter    produced per year.-   Flower longevity on plant: 5 to 6 days. Self-cleaning.-   Flower longevity as a cut flower: 3 to 4 days.-   Flower size:    -   -   Height.—Approximately 15 to 19 cm.        -   Width.—Approximately 15 to 19 cm.        -   Depth.—5.8 to 7 cm.-   Bud:    -   -   Shape.—Oval.        -   Length.—Approximately 5.5 to 6.5 cm.        -   Diameter.—Approximately 3.2 to 4.4 cm.        -   Luster.—None.        -   Color.—Upper: Base near Yellow-Green 144D. Upper 75% very            heavy Red-Purple 71A flush over 144D. Veins strong            Greyed-Purple N186D. Margins Red-Purple 70A.-   Petals:    -   -   Arrangement.—Verticillate.        -   Quantity.—86 to 92.        -   Number of whorls.—8.        -   Fused.—No.        -   Margin.—Entire.        -   Shape.—Obovate.        -   Apex.—Acuminate.        -   Base.—Truncate.        -   Texture.—Papery, both surfaces.        -   Rugosity.—Smooth and weak, under side only.        -   Luster.—Weak, both sides.        -   Petal length.—3.1 to 8 cm.        -   Petal width.—1 to 5.2 cm.        -   Color.—When Opening: Upper Surface: Tip: RHS Red-Purple 59C;            Middle: White N155B; Base: Yellow 3B. Under Surface: Tip:            RHS Red-Purple 59C; Middle: White N155B, clearly veins;            Base: Yellow 4B. Fully Opened: Upper Surface: Tip: RHS            Red-Purple 58A; Middle: White 155D; Base: Yellow 3B. Under            Surface: Tip: RHS Red-Purple 58A; Middle: White N155C,            Venation: Red-Purple 59C; Base: Yellow 4B. Upper Surface:            Tip: RHS Red-Purple 59D; Middle: Yellow 4D; Base:            Green-Yellow 1D. Under Surface: Tip: RHS Red-Purple 59D;            Middle: Yellow 4D, clearly veins; Base: Green-Yellow 2D.-   Petaloids:    -   -   Arrangement.—Verticillate.        -   Quantity.—72 to 78.        -   Number of whorls.—4.        -   Length.—3.1 to 5.4 cm.        -   Width.—1 to 1.8 cm.        -   Shape.—Obovate to lanceolate.        -   Margin.—Entire.        -   Apex.—Acuminate.        -   Base.—Wedge.        -   Texture.—Papery, both surfaces.        -   Rugosity.—Smooth and weak, under side.        -   Luster.—Weak, both sides.        -   Color.—When opening: Upper surface: Upper: RHS Red-Purple            59C; Base: Yellow 3A. Under surface: Upper: RHS Red-Purple            59C, clearly veins; Base: Yellow 3B. Fully opened: Upper            surface: Upper: RHS Red-Purple 60B; Venation: Red-Purple            59C; Base: Yellow 4A. Under surface: Upper: RHS Red-Purple            60B; Venation: Red-Purple 59C; Base: Yellow 2B. Fading:            Upper surface: Upper: RHS Red-Purple 59D; Base: Yellow 2C.            Under surface: Upper: RHS Red-Purple 59D, clearly veins;            Base: Yellow 3D.-   Sepals:    -   -   Quantity.—8.        -   Arrangement.—Verticillate.        -   Calyx shape.—Oval.        -   Fused.—No.        -   Number of whorls.—2.        -   Length.—1 to 5.8 cm.        -   Width.—0.6 to 2.3 cm.        -   Shape.—Ovoid.        -   Apex.—Acuminate.        -   Margin.—Entire.        -   Base.—Truncate.        -   Texture.—Papery, both sides.        -   Luster.—Weak, both sides.        -   Color.—When Opening: Upper Surface: Upper: RHS Red-Purple            59C; Base: White N155C. Under Surface: Upper: RHS Red-Purple            59C; Base: Yellow-Green N144D. Fully Opened: Upper Surface:            Upper: RHS Red-Purple 60B; Base: White N155D. Under Surface:            Upper: RHS Red-Purple 60B; Base: Yellow-Green N144D.-   Fragrance: Moderate.-   Pedicel:    -   -   Length.—Average 56 to 93 cm.        -   Diameter.—Average 7 to 8 mm.        -   Strength.—Medium, stout.        -   Texture.—Semi-woody, stiff, inside vertical hollow and            latex.        -   Luster.—Weak.        -   Color.—RHS Yellow-Green 146C.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

-   Stamens: (Androecium).    -   -   Number.—Average 164 to 196.        -   Filament length.—Approximately 13 to 14 mm.        -   Filament color.—Yellow 2D.        -   Anther length.—8 to 9 mm.        -   Anther width.—1 to 1.5 mm.        -   Anther color.—Greyed-Green 196A.        -   Anther shape.—Bar.        -   Pollen.—None.-   Pistil: (Gynoecium).    -   -   Number.—Average range 14 to 23.        -   Length.—Average 10 to 20 mm.        -   Stigma.—Shape: Circular. Color: Yellow 4A. Style Length: 1            to 2 mm. Style Color: Yellow-White 158D. Ovary Color:            Yellow-White 158D.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

-   Seeds: 7 to 13 per flower.    -   -   Length.—15 to 17 mm.        -   Diameter.—9 to 12 mm.        -   Texture.—Nut, smooth.        -   Color.—Near RHS Brown 200A.-   Fruit: 24 to 44 per plant.    -   -   Length.—3.1 to 4.5 cm.        -   Diameter.—3.4 to 9.3 cm.        -   Texture.—Smooth.        -   Color.—Near RHS Yellow-Green N144B, turning N144B then near            Grey-Brown N199C.        -   Taste.—None.        -   Days to ripen.—21 to 40 days.-   Temperature tolerance: Tolerates temperatures from approximately    −10° C. to at least 40° C.-   Disease/pest resistance: Neither resistance nor susceptibility to    normal diseases and pests of Nelumbo observed.

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Nelumbo plantnamed ‘ZHONGSHAN HONGLAN’ as herein illustrated and described.